“Overall, player for player, this (Beal) team doesn’t have many weaknesses,” Santilli said. “They’re not a big team size-wise but they execute extremely well.”

Forest Park will need the defensive effort that stopped Hurley’s Mark Saari in today’s state semifinal with Beal. Saari, who rushed for over 2,000 yards this season, produced 86 on 15 carries when the Trojans handled the Midgets 31-14. Hurley advanced to Wisconsin’s Division 6 state semifinals before exiting.

The unbeaten Trojans and Aggies clash at 9 this morning at the Superior Dome, with the winner going to Ford Field for the state final ...

Fox television football analyst and former Pittsburgh Steelers star Terry Bradshaw is a big fan of Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.

"As a former quarterback, if I had to pick between (Drew) Brees, (Tom) Brady, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, (Ben) Roethlisberger, and Stafford, this is the guy I'd take. I love this guy. I loved him at Georgia and I love him in Detroit," Bradshaw said. "America, I hope the Lions are in a lot of playoff games so you'll get to understand and see (Stafford), because he is a remarkable quarterback." ...

From Brad Dickson, Omaha.com: “The Florida Everglades minor league hockey team started a 58-year-old goalie. He's the first hockey player whose teeth fell out naturally.” ...

From Dwight Perry, Seattle Times: “The biggest baby in America this year — 14 pounds — was born in Utah in May, and he’s quite the kid. He’s already cut his first tooth and signed a letter of intent with Alabama.” ...

Nathan Neveau, grandson of Niagara great Ray Neveau, quarterbacked unbeaten Oshkosh North into Friday’s Division 2 state championship against Kimberly.

For the season, Neveau passed for more than 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns; rushed for nearly 1,100 and 14 scores.

When North nicked Menasha 38-0 in the state semifinals, Neveau completed 14 of 18 passes for 299 yards and four touchdowns.

Neveau is also a basketball standout.

Kaleb Farragh, grandson of Gina and the late coach Gordy Farragh of Breitung Township, played for Menasha (10-3) ...

From the late football tight end Todd Christensen: “Being a smart football player is like being a great surfer in Alaska.” ...

Former Michigan and Iowa State coach Johnny Orr attended Sunday’s basketball game in Ames between the two schools. The 86-year-old Orr, who retired from coaching in 1994 with over 400 victories, once visited the area for a Kingsford banquet.

Johnny entertained yours truly and others with an off-the-record chat following the program ...

From late night host Jay Leno via Norm Clarke in the Las Vegas Review Journal: “President Obama paid tribute to America’s oldest living veteran, 107-year-old Richard Overton. Overton credits his longevity to drinking whiskey and smoking 12 cigars every day. Now there’s a health plan we can all get behind.” ...

Washington State Coach Mike Leach, in the book “The System: The Glory and Scandal of Big-Time College Football,” says the “quarterback has to work harder than everyone else. He has to be the first one on the field and the last one off.”

Leach, who left Texas Tech after issues with then ESPN broadcaster Craig James, wants his players to abide by the “Three Queen Mothers” code — caught stealing, hitting a woman or smoking marijuana, kicked off the team, no questions.

“Players who steal can’t be trusted, and trust is very important in football,” Leach said. “Any man who hits a woman is a coward. And I don’t need cowards on my football team.

“Smoking dope — or any other drugs — is just selfish. It indicates that your partying is more important than your team. So any player — no matter how talented — is cut if he violates those rules.”

One other item from the book, Kirk Herbstreit was in the Upper Peninsula fishing when receiving word from ESPN in 1996 that he got the job as a college football analyst ...

From basketball great Larry Bird, after his statue was unveiled at Indiana State: "I don't really have a lot of words other than the BS I'm going to give you." ...

Former NFL safety Tommy Zbikowski, to the Chicago Tribune, on joining the Chicago Fire Department: "I'll have 10 times the stories as a fireman I did as a football player. And at least I can tell these to women and children." ...

The reason for Green Bay’s slump? Escanaba’s Bob McGinn, a U.P. Hall of Famer who covers the Packers for the Milwaukee JournalSentinel, points to Coach Mike McCarthy. McGinn thought the Packers would be able to withstand an injury to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

“The problem is McCarthy and his people haven't been able to reach this team in this moment of truth and win at least one or two, if not all three very winnable games,” wrote McGinn in responding to a JournalSentinel Web site question. “I never underestimated the importance of Aaron Rodgers. I apparently overestimated McCarthy and his staff.”

Need more Scuttle? Please check my blog at ironmountaindailynews.com, and there’s also Facebook and Twitter ...